Official Luthiers Forum!

Backstrapping is a good idea structurally, but I don’t understand why it should be more so with maple than with other common neck woods.

In my view the classic archtop guitar headstock backstrap with a “toungue” overlapping the neck shaft should add much more strength to the neck / headstock junction than a modern “smiley volute” backstap which does not overlap this area. It is the most common place for a headstock break to occur, and the “smiley” therefore fails to add support where it most needed. It looks good, though!

_________________
Rian Gitar og Mandolin

In general woodworking, anytime you veneer one side of a piece of wood you must also veneer the other side, even if it is with some other kind of wood. The thinking on this is to keep the one side from moving too much so that it warps the wood substructure.

I have not seen this to be an issue with guitars though. I think the reason is because the headstock is such a small area that it really doesnt matter and the veneer is so thin. This is the first I have heard of it in the luthier world.

_________________
Reguards,

Ken H

Don't overlook the fact that archtops (a la Benedetto) have truss rod access through the headstock. This further reduces the already vulnerable neck-to-headstock short-grain transition. Take another look at Benedetto's illustrations and draw (yep, a pun) your own conclusion. 

Hard to imagine NOT using a reinforcing backplate on headstocks with truss rod access, no matter what the wood choice.

Now, if you plan on soundhole access....

In the end, I am of the school that believes that a stiffer headstock transmits string energy down the neck better than a less stiff one. Which is a good thing. I use backplates on my steel string guitars.

Keep in mind that many archtops use huge honking headstocks that are probably more prone to warpage.

Chris...I realize it is shame to cover up the back of a curly maple headstock with a backplate but what about covering it with a really nice maple burl veneer or an intense birdseye maple?... it would keep the headstock maple, the flame would still be seen on the edge but would add some more Zoot to the mix...

It's possible that expansion differences would crack/stress the veneer but I've never seen this myself.

_________________
Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Huh, my Taylor has veneer one one side only! Guess I'm slumming.

_________________
A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

[QUOTE=verhoevenc]Yes, but does your taylor have a maple neck? Benedetto's book says SPECIFICALLY maple, not others.

Chris[/QUOTE]

No but I can't understand why maple should be so different in this regard?

_________________
A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

Hey Chris,
    I did a little search(it is kinda hard to find pics of the back of headstocks). Here are a few.


Guild

Gibson(Pretty sure it is just painted)

Gary Woodall

Sadowsky

That was the group I found with a quick search.

Peace,Rich